Whether you want to clean painted or wallpapered walls in your home, there are plenty of ways to do so. However, this can sometimes be a delicate process. If your walls look dirty after many years or your small children have scribbled on them, then a thorough cleaning is necessary. Cobwebs, dust and fingerprints mar even the cleanest wall surfaces. While it may seem easier to repaint, most walls can be easily cleaned if you follow a few simple steps and tips. Here are the most common cleaning methods that can help you easily get rid of annoying messes.
How often you should clean your walls
Interior walls are an important part of the structure of any apartment or house, but most people often overlook them when cleaning the house. Therefore, as part of your regularly scheduled tasks, you should dust and remove cobwebs from painted walls at least once a month, although twice a month would be even better. Additionally, you should clean stains and dirt around doorknobs and light switches weekly. Big splashes andDoodles with colored pencils on wallsare more likely to be cleaned immediately so that you can achieve the best results. If you are preparing to paint your walls, a thorough cleaning would also be required at this time. Otherwise, you'll focus on spot cleaning.
Before you start cleaning
Before any type of wall cleaning, you should test what type of cleaning agent you are using in an inconspicuous area. This is important because some wall paints cannot be cleaned and leave permanent wet marks on the wall. You can dust off any type of paintwork. However, the type of paint and finish will determine how best to clean them. There are many types of interior wall paint today, and the most common of them are:
- Oil based paint:Commonly used in high humidity areas. It is more durable than latex paint and holds up well to frequent cleaning.
- Water or latex paint:This is the most common interior wall paint and is more resistant to cracking and chipping than oil-based. However, she is not as receptive to water-based cleaning.
- The types of interior painting are:
- Flat or matte:Almost chalky in appearance, with no shine on the surface, they do not hold up well to cleaning. Therefore, you should not use harsh chemicals or excessive pressure when cleaning.
- Satin or Eggshell:This reflects light with a slight glow. It is more durable and good for cleaning and high traffic areas. You should not use abrasive cleaners and limit the amount of moisture when cleaning.
- Cleaning semi-glossy walls:They reflect light with a noticeable shine and are an excellent choice for kitchens, bathrooms, doors and trim. Such walls can withstand moisture and all but the most aggressive chemicals.
- High gloss:This wall covering leaves a robust and shiny surface and is easy to clean with detergents or a degreaser.
How to remove dirt and fingerprints from walls
If you have discovered dirty stains or fingerprints, they are not difficult to remove from the walls. Before you start, you'll want to make sure you dust the wall carefully to avoid smudging anything else. A microfiber cloth is perfect and can be attached to a rag or broom so you can easily reach the entire wall. After that, you can use warm, soapy water as a cleaning solution. Dirt stains and fingerprints can be removed with a mild cleaning agent and a soft cloth. However, do not wet the wall too much as this may cause water stains. Leave the soap solution on the wall for about five minutes and then rinse with clean water.
Clean dirty walls using simple methods and supplies
You do not need a special wall cleaner to clean walls. Avoid anything abrasive or ammonia-based and start with simple products. This basic kit is mild enough to use for most wall treatments while still getting the job done. You probably already have everything you need. Here's what you should have on hand:
- Liquid hand or dish soap
- Water
- Soft cloths or rags
- Hefttuch
- Two buckets
- Stain remover
- Vacuum cleaner with dust brush attachment
- baking powder
- Foam craft brush
- Hydrogen peroxide
Step-by-step instructions
- First, protect your floor from drips. Prepare for this by placing towels along the base of the walls to protect the floor surface and catch any dust or drips.
- Dust the walls using the dusting brush attachment. Vacuum your walls and then wipe them down with a vacuum cloth. You can also use a foam craft brush to easily remove dust from baseboards and moldings. Alternatively, you can wrap a clean rag and dust from top to bottom without fear of scratches or dents.
- After removing the dust, it's time to wash the walls. Fill one bucket with warm water and mix clear liquid hand soap or dish soap and water into the other. Soak a cloth in the solution and wring it out well.
- Then test a patch on the wall. While dish soap and water make a gentle cleaning solution, you should always test on a portion of the wall behind a painting or piece of furniture to make sure you don't damage the material. Wallpaper and matte paint are more sensitive than high gloss paint, so it's good to be safe and do a little test.
- Wash the wall gently, using circular movements. Once you know you can safely work on your surface, it's time to tackle the entire wall. Start at the top of the wall and work your way down, going over the surface in light, circular motions. Apply as little moisture as possible to avoid blistering or water spots. Also, be careful not to apply too much pressure while making the circles.
- If you're cleaning painted walls and encounter stubborn stains, you can turn to baking soda and water. Baking soda is a natural stain remover. To do this, mix half a cup of baking soda with a quarter cup of water until they form a paste. Gently rub this paste into the stained part of the wall and the stain should come off.
Remove doodles and colored pencils from wall surfaces
If you have young children, your young Picassos may often draw on popular walls in your home. Crayons can be removed by trying baby wipes first. Sometimes a small drawing just needs some solution. But if your child has gone full Rembrandt, try rubbing out their artwork with some regular white toothpaste, an eraser, or baking soda on a damp sponge.
For stains from smudge-proof marker pens, you can dab the stain with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol. However, keep in mind that rubbing alcohol can damage the paint. If rubbing doesn't work, try spraying hairspray on the area and wiping it clean with a cloth dampened with water. Traces of ballpoint pens can possibly be removed with foaming shaving cream. Try dabbing this popular home remedy onto the stain. You can also use nail polish remover instead.
How you can clean wood and walls like this with vinegar
Textured wooden walls require a different approach to cleaning and maintenance. To thoroughly clean and condition your wood walls, you can make your own gentle wall cleaner using one cup of water, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of mineral oil, and about 15 drops of lemon oil. Mix these ingredients thoroughly and use a clean cloth to work the cleaner into the wood with the grain. For stubborn stains, use more pressure and a circular motion to remove them from the grain. There is no need to rinse the solution. Simply let the wood air dry. The cleaner described above gives the wood a warm shine and a pleasant lemon aroma. For spot and regular cleaning, use a cloth moistened with lemon oil.
Remove grease stains from walls
Even if walls are vertical, they can still become covered in dust, grease splatters, smoke, insect droppings and cobwebs. If you have areas near doors orClean light switches and sockets, these will probably be the most stressed. This is where grease, dirt and scrapes from hands, feet and sharp corners collect. A little dishwashing liquid and warm water can also remove grease stains, which you can then rinse with clean water. An alternative is the most common pantry ingredient that is popular for all sorts of cleaning tasks: vinegar. Add a cup of white vinegar to a bucket of warm water and apply the solution with a soft sponge. As with other types of dirt, do not get the wall too wet and rinse it with clean water.
Eraser trick to remove stains on walls
Erasers work well for so many cleaning tasks around the house, and walls are no exception. They are safe to use on paint and wallpaper and are particularly useful for removing pen marks. Simply use one of the corners of the eraser and watch the stain disappear. However, as always, pay attention to the type of paint on the wall if you choose this option. While the erasers are great for glossy and semi-glossy paints, be careful when scrubbing water-based paints like latex or acrylic with them.
Tips for cleaning walls before painting
Walls should be cleaned before painting them or when changing their color. You can use the same method as when cleaning walls in general. Wipe the surface with a brush or simply a dry cloth to remove cobwebs and loose debris on the wall itself. Now you can apply your cleaning solution.
You can actually mix some dish soap and salt with some warm water to make a really effective surface cleaner. Try not to get your cloth/sponge soaking wet as this could leave water stains on the wall. Let the cleaning solution sit on the walls for about 10 minutes and then simply rinse with clean water.
